Campaign Story
About the project
Villages in Latur district face various challenges; one of the biggest challenges is that people don’t have livelihood opportunities, and families have to migrate to sugarcane farms for cultivation. Children have to leave their schools for 3 to 4 months and go with their parents. For higher classes, children have to travel very far, which is unsafe and causes a financial burden on the family. The rate of child marriage in the area is also 30-35%.
Making a difference
Through the support of CRY America project KMAGVS, the community has found hope to overcome these challenges. The project works directly to provide residential hostels and enrol children in school. The project also works towards strengthening community-based organizations and sensitizing stakeholders on child rights issues focusing on child marriage and child labor.
The way forward
● Ensuring re-enrolment of 13 dropout children in school
● Ensure 1727 children transition to the higher grade
● Home visit and personal counseling for 268 children appearing in boards examinations
● Developing 130 families as a role model on prevention of child labour
● Activation of 21 Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) and developing 2 new VCPCs
● Supporting 5 girls to participate in block and district level sports events
Project Impact
1727
children were enrolled in residential hostels
669
girls enrolled in school
594
community-based organizations members were sensitized
137
families were developed as role models for the prevention of child labor
61
children collectives were formed
Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $27,779
Current Year’s Approved Grant
The Girls Who Changed Their Community: A Story of Education and Determination
In Sevapur Tana, a small village, only one school offers education until the fourth grade. Children who want to study beyond the fourth grade have to walk 7 kms one way to reach the nearest school. Due to the long distance to school, parents often don’t let their children go to school and end up marrying them early.
CRY America project KMAGVS is strengthening adolescent groups in the village. They hold awareness sessions for girls, explaining the importance of education and their rights.
During one such session, girls discussed they couldn’t continue to travel such a long distance to attend school. Some girls in the group even received bicycles from KMAGVS, but that wasn’t enough. The girls knew their rights and decided to contact the principal of the school and members of the School Management Committee (SMC) to ask for transportation services.
After much discussion thanks to the girls’ confidence and determination, they agreed to provide free transportation services for these students. As a result, 48 children in the village could now continue their education without having to travel such long distances.
The girls’ small act of bravery and determination significantly impacted their community. They showed that with determination and perseverance they can bring positive change in many children’s lives.
| Name | Donate Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anita Kapadia & Feroze Tarapolwala | $2,500 | August 09, 2023 |
